G'day sports fans,

Classic Quote: "he eats pressure for breakfast" - Rod Butterss on the appointment of Grant Thomas as coach.

In today's bumper edition of Sport Journal:

🏉 Remembering Stanley the Steal Avenger's big day

⚽️ UEFA Champions League previews

🏀 Play-offs and Head butts

Back in the day, my team won an important rugby match and we planned a big night out afterward.

Our No.7 complained of a groin strain after the match and decided (don't ask me why) that deep heat spray was the answer.

Yep, you guessed it. It burnt - a lot. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't wash it off. He sat there all night in the club, fidgeting in his seat with a red face. 🤣

If only there was the Lawnmower 3.0 from Manscaped in 1998.

➡️ Get 20% OFF + Free International Shipping plus TWO FREE GIFTS when you use promo code SJ20 at au.Manscaped.com

⚽️ Live Champions League (70' at time of writing)

• RB Leipzig 1-0 Atletico Madrid - Olmo heads home opener

• Winners will face PSG in semi-final

🇦🇺 AFL

Result: Sydney Swans (10.6) 62 def. GWS Giants (3.7) 25

The Swans have caused a boilover in the Sydney Derby, keeping arch-rivals GWS to their equal-lowest ever score in a remarkable 41-point win in Perth.

Sydney (4-7) was more aggressive and adventurous from the outset, keeping the Giants (6-5) to just one goal in the first half with GWS captain Stephen Coniglio calling his side “hopeless”. (AFL)

Today: Geelong Cats (2.15) v Port Adelaide (1.78): Already riding high after a brilliant victory against Richmond, Port Adelaide will look to send another message today.

• 📈 Sam Menegola (Geelong) has recorded 26+ disposals in three of his last 4 matches.

North Melbourne (5.25) v Brisbane Lions (1.17): Reaching a new low against the Demons, North Melbourne may find it difficult to avoid further humiliation against Brisbane at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

• 📈 Each of North Melbourne's last 4 matches have gone OVER total match points (11.5.5)

Melbourne (2.0) v Collingwood (1.80): Each vying for a spot in the top eight, Melbourne and Collingwood will play out a crucial fixture at the Gabba on Saturday.

• 📈 Collingwood have covered the line in their last 5 matches against Melbourne (-1.5)

Blues lock away gun defender with mega-contract extension

Former No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering signs new deal. (AFL)

AFL fixture 2020: Release, Rounds 14 to 18, dates, venues, second footy frenzy, compressed fixture, latest news | FOX SPORTS — www.foxsports.com.au

The AFL will finish the 2020 home and away season with a second footy frenzy, with matches to be played on 17 out of 18 days.

Fremantle (2.05) v Carlton (1.83): The Dockers and the Blues are both facing a make-or-break scenario in Perth. A win would likely go a long way towards either team making a run at the finals. The money continues to come for Carlton despite losing their last two.

Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Crows: It’s crunch time this week for the Dogs as they hope to snap their three-game losing skid. The Crows remain winless at time of publish and it’s difficult to see them breaking that streak on only four day’s rest.

St Kilda v Essendon: Time is quickly running out for the Bombers as they find themselves among a desperate group of teams fighting for a spot in the eight. Speaking of bouncing back, the Saints also have some work to do following a lacklustre effort against Geelong last Monday night.

West Coast Eagles v Hawthorn: The Eagles have a chance to make it seven in a row on Sunday when they take on a Hawthorn side reeling from last week’s disappointing result against Fremantle.

🏉 NRL

Result: Roosters 6-24 Storm: Keary among Roosters injuries as Storm rack up big win. A merciless Storm heaped more pain on Trent Robinson's battered premiers, with three more key Roosters going down. (match report)

👋🏼 The St George Illawarra Dragons and coach Paul McGregor will amicably part ways at the conclusion of Friday's night Round 14 game against the Parramatta Eels. (Dragons) - The Dragons will appoint Dean Young as head coach for the remainder of the season - post Friday night.

🔁 Melbourne superstar Josh Addo-Carr has signed with a new management company to help him secure a move to a Sydney NRL club at season’s end. (Fox)

Round 14 previews

Today: Warriors (7.0) v Panthers (1.10): (match preview) Hetherington suspended; Penrith red hot.

• 📈 11 of the Panthers last 14 away matches have gone UNDER total match points (40.5pts).

Today: Eels (1.20) v Dragons (4.50): (match preview) Matterson green light; Norman returns.

• 📈 Matthew Duffy (Dragons) has score in 5 os his last 6 (3.30). Parramatta have won their last 7 match against the Dragons.

Saturday: Cowboys (3.25) v Rabbitohs (1.35): (match preview) Drinkwater at fullback; Su'A back on deck.

• 📈 Rabbitohs have won 3 of their last 4 matches by 1-12 points (3.0)

Saturday: Raiders (1.12) v Broncos (6.50): (match preview) Havili named; Te'o replaces Pangai.

• 📈 Nick Cotric has scored a try in each of his last 3 games against Broncos (1st try - 6.0)

Sunday: Knights (1.37) v Sea Eagles (3.10): (match preview) Saifiti returns; Fonua-Blake sidelined. Last time out Round 8, 2020: Knights 14 def. Sea Eagles 12.

Sunday: Wests Tigers (1.45) v Bulldogs (2.75): (match report) Liddle's wait over; Averillo, Lewis out. With one hand on the wooden spoon already, the Bulldogs will have circled this game on the calendar as a winner. It has upset feel to it.

NRL 2020: Cameron Smith's decision will be seismic for three clubs - NRL — www.nrl.com

Cameron Smith’s next move is going to create a seismic shift in rugby league, especially if he links with the Broncos or Titans.

⚽️ Football

UEFA Champions League

New format brings high drama as PSG edge Atalanta (2-1)

We all had a good laugh when PSG signed Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on a free transfer from Stoke City. And again when he was guilty of one of the worst misses of all time. (below; for your viewing pleasure).

But the Cameroon forward scored the winner in this one - with one of his six touches - from Mbappe's cross, only 149 seconds after Marquinhos' equaliser in the 90th minute.

Saturday (5am): Barcelona v Bayern Munich

• This should be an outstanding game of football and the winner may just be the team to beat for the Champions League crown.

• Robert Lewandowski is the form striker in the world and he could take advantage of a Barcelona outfit that has serious issues at the back. His tally of 66 goals in EUrope is a record for someone that has not won the trophy.

Sunday (5am): Man City v Lyon

• This does look like the mismatch of the Champions League Quarter Finals.

• Manchester City weren’t overly impressive against Real Madrid, but they did what they had to quite comfortably.

• Lyon claimed have played the role of Champions League giant killers in the past.

Today 🇦🇺: Newcastle Jets (3.0) v Wellington Phoenix (2.20): (match preview) While the Jets’ finals hopes evaporated last week, Phoenix are pushing for a top three finish and will play finals football for a second straight season.

• Late show - No team has scored more second-half goals this season than Wellington Phoenix (23).

When the last one of your mates is getting married, so you go all out for one last stag-do with the lads!

🎾 Tennis

US Open 2020: Novak Djokovic will play in New York

World number one Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will play at the US Open, which starts on 31 August, in New York.

Djokovic smells an easy Slam: Defending champion Rafael Nadal has already decided not to enter because of concerns about Covid-19, while five-time winner Roger Federer is recovering from knee surgery.

"It was not an easy decision to make, but the prospect of competing again makes me really excited," he said.

Djokovic has not played since apologising after he and three other players (conveniently) tested positive for Covid-19 at his own Adria Tour competition.

He later admitted it had been "too soon" to stage the tournament. (Twitter)

🐴 Racing

I'm not crying, it's just raining...on my face 😢

🏉 Rugby

Western Force v Waratahs

• Waratahs will be on the hunt for back-to-back Super Rugby wins for the first time since March 2019 after a thumping 45-12 win over the Reds in Round 6.

• Henry Stowers (Force) has made a competition-high 71 tackles in Super Rugby AU; he has missed just five further attempts for a success rate of 93%. Sign him up!

Reds v Rebels

• The Reds have won five of their last six Super Rugby games on home turf (L1), including their last three on the bounce; they last time they won more consecutive home games was a five-game stretch across the 2013 and 2014 campaigns.

• The Rebels have scored 34 points in the 61st minute of games or later in Super Rugby AU, more than any other team during this period.

Super Rugby AU Teams: All the lineups for round seven | RUGBY.com.au — www.rugby.com.au

It's all to play for in round seven of Super Rugby AU after last weekend's upset results.

Highlanders v Hurricanes

• The Hurricanes have won six of their last seven Super Rugby games against the Highlanders (L1), including their last three on the bounce;. However, their previous three clashes have all been won by a margin of fewer than seven points on the day.

Blues v Crusaders

• The Crusaders have won their last 12 consecutive Super Rugby games against the Blues, conceding an average of just 16 points per game in that stretch.

💰 Rugby's galacticos? Bristol Bears: Boasting a squad which already had Charles Piutau, Nathan Hughes and Steve Luatua, they have gone big this summer.

England prop Kyle Sinckler has joined from Harlequins to boost the front row, while star Fiji winger Semi Radradra brings even more power to a terrifying back division. Season re-starts this morning. Any excuse for a Radradra video

🏏 Cricket

England v Pakistan: Second Test, Day 1

England's bowlers grabbed the upper hand in the second Test against Pakistan on a rain-affected first day at the Ageas Bowl.

James Anderson claimed two wickets and Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Sam Curran one each as Pakistan closed on 126-5 with only 45.4 overs possible.

Abid Ali was dropped twice on the way to 60, with Pakistan looking well placed on 78-1.

🇺🇸 'Merica

⛳️ The Masters

 Will take place in November without fans at Augusta National (pga)

🏀 All NBA playoff matchups are set with the exception of who will face the top-seeded Lakers in the Western Conference first round.

• East: 1. Bucks, 2. Raptors, 3. Celtics, 4. Heat, 5. Pacers, 6. 76ers, 7. Nets, 8. Magic

• West: 1. Lakers, 2. Clippers, 3. Nuggets, 4. Thunder, 5. Rockets, 6. Jazz, 7. Mavericks, 8. ???

🏒 NHL: For the second time in franchise history, the New York Rangers won the right to a first draft pick. Many expect the Rangers to use their win to pick Canadian forward Alexis Lafrenière (18), ranked #1 by most outlets.

MLB's five biggest surprises so far: Historically low averages, unexpected contenders, more - CBSSports.com — www.cbssports.com

The 2020 MLB season -- through three weeks -- has been nothing if not a wild ride

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📺 Live sport

Friday

⛳️ 04:00 - PGA Tour, Wyndham Championship, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 05:00 - UEFA Champions Lge Quarter-Final - RB Leipzig v Atletico Madrid (Optus Sport 1)

🏀 06:00 - NBA - Dallas Mavericks v Phoenix Suns (ESPN 1 or Kayo Sports)

🏀 08:30- NBA - San Antonio Spurs v Utah Jazz (ESPN 1 or Kayo Sports)

🏀 11:00 - NBA - Portland Trail Blazers v Brooklyn Nets (ESPN 1 or Kayo Sports)

⚾️ 11:40 - MLB - Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres (Sky Sports 3)

🏍 17:55 - Austrian MotoGP Practice 1, Round 5 (Fox Sports More or Kayo Sports)

🏉 18:00 - NRL - Warriors v Penrith Panthers (Fox League or Kayo Sports)

🏎 19:00 - Spanish F1 Grand Prix Practice 1, Round 6 (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🎾 19:00 - WTA Prague Open, Quarter-Finals, Day 5 (BeIN Sports 3)

🏉 19:05 - Super Rugby AU - Western Force v Waratahs (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🇦🇺 19:50 - AFL Geelong Cats v Port Adelaide Power (Fox Footy or Kayo Sports or 7mate)

🏉 19:55 - NRL - Parramatta Eels v St George Illawarra Dragons (Fox League or Kayo Sports or Nine)

🏏 20:00 - Test Match - England v Pakistan (Fox Cricket or Kayo Sports)

🏌🏼‍♀️ 21:00 - Ladies Scottish Open, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

⛳️ 21:00 - European Tour, Celtic Classic, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🏍 22:10 - Austrian MotoGP Practice 2, Round 5 (Fox Sports More or Kayo Sports)

🚴🏼‍♀️ 22:45 - UCI Men's World Tour, Stage 3, 157km (SBS Viceland)

🏎 23:00 - Spanish F1 Grand Prix Practice 2, Round 6 (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

Saturday

⚽️ 05:00 - UEFA Champions Lge Quarter-Final - Barcelona v Bayern Munich (Optus Sport 1)

🏀 06:00 - NBA - Miami Heat v Indiana Pacers (ESPN 1 or Kayo Sports)

🏀 08:30 - NBA - Oklahoma City Thunder v Los Angeles Clippers (ESPN 1 or Kayo Sports)

⚾️ 10:10 - MLB - Chicago White Sox v St. Louis Cardinals (Sky Sports 3)

🏀 11:00 - NBA - Philadelphia 76ers v Houston Rockets (ESPN 1 or Kayo Sports)

🚘 11:20 - Triple Crown Darwin Practice 1, Round 4 (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🚘 14:10 - Triple Crown Darwin Top 15 Shootout (10 or Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🇦🇺 14:35 - AFL - North Melb. Kangaroos v Brisbane Lions (Fox Footy or Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 15:00 - J1 League - Consadole Sapporo v Kawasaki Frontale (Optus Sport 1)

🏉 15:00 - NRL - Cronulla Sharks v Gold Coast Titans (Fox League or Kayo Sports)

🚘 16:00 - Triple Crown Darwin Race 1 (10 or Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 17:00 - A-League - Sydney FC v Western United FC (ABC or Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🏉 17:05 - Super Rugby Aotearoa - Highlanders v Hurricanes (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🇦🇺 17:10 - AFL - Melbourne Demons v Collingwood Magpies (Fox Footy or Kayo Sports)

🏉 17:30 - NRL - North Queensland Cowboys v South Sydney Rabbitohs (Fox League or Kayo Sports)

🏍 17:55 - Austrian MotoGP Practice 3, Round 5 (Fox Sports More or Kayo Sports)

🎾 19:00 - WTA Prague Open, Semi-Final 1 (BeIN Sports 3 or Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 19:00 - J1 League - Vegalta Sendai v Shimizu S-Pulse (Optus Sport 2)

🏉 19:15 - Super Rugby AU - Reds v Rebels (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 19:30 - J1 League - Oita Trinita v Yokohama F. Marinos (Optus Sport 3)

🏉 19:35 - NRL - Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos (Fox League or Kayo Sports)

🏏 20:00 - Test Match - England v Pakistan (Fox Cricket or Kayo Sports)

🏎 20:00 - Spanish F1 Grand Prix Practice 3 (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 20:00 - K League 1 - Ulsan Hyundai v Pohang Steelers (Optus Sport 4)

🇦🇺 20:10 - AFL - Fremantle Dockers v Carlton Blues (Fox Footy or Kayo Sports or 7mate)

🎾 21:00 - WTA Prague Open, Semi-Final 2, Day 6 (BeIN Sports 3 or Kayo Sports)

🏉 22:00 - Super League - Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🏍 22:10 - Austrian MotoGP Qualifying 1, Round 5 (Fox Sports More or Kayo Sports)

🏎 23:00 - Spanish F1 Grand Prix Qualifying, Round 6 (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 23:05CyclingUCI Men's World Tour, Stage 4, 153.5km (SBS Viceland)

Sunday

⛳️ 04:00 - PGA Tour, Wyndham Championship, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🏀 04:00 - WNBA - Indiana Fever v Los Angeles Sparks (ESPN 2)

⛳️ 05:00 - PGA Tour Champions, Round 3 (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 05:00 - UEFA Champions Lge Quarter-Final - Manchester City v Olympique Lyonnais (Optus Sport 1)

🚘 05:00 - Indianapolis 500 Qualifications, Round 7 (Fox Sports)

👊🏻 12:00 - UFC 252 Main Card - Stipe Miocic v Daniel Cormier (Main Event)

🚘 12:25 - Triple Crown Darwin Qualifying Race 3 (10 or Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🇦🇺 13:05 - AFL - Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Crows (Fox Footy or Kayo Sports)

🏉 13:35 - Super Rugby Aotearoa - Blues v Crusaders (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🚘 13:50 - Triple Crown Darwin Race 2 (10 or Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🏉 14:00 - NRL - Newcastle Knights v Manly Sea Eagles (Fox League or Kayo Sports)

🇦🇺 15:35 - AFL - St Kilda Saints v Essendon Bombers (Fox Footy or Kayo Sports)

🚘 16:00 - Triple Crown Darwin Race 3 (10 or Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🏉 16:05 - NRL - Wests Tigers v Canterbury Bulldogs (Fox League or Kayo Sports or Nine)

🇦🇺 18:10 - AFL - West Coast Eagles v Hawthorn Hawks (Fox Footy or Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 19:30 - J1 League - Kashima Antlers v Vissel Kobe (Optus Sport 1)

🏏 20:00 - Test Match - England v Pakistan (Fox Cricket or Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 20:00 - K League 1 - Daegu FC v Incheon United (Optus Sport 2)

🏍 20:20 - Austrian Moto2 Race, Round 5 (Fox Sports More or Kayo Sports)

🎾 21:30 - WTA Prague Open, Final (BeIN Sports 3)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 23:05 - UCI Men's World Tour, Stage 5, 153.5km (SBS Viceland)

🏎 23:10 - Spanish F1 Grand Prix Race, Round 6 (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

⛳️ 23:30 - European Tour - Celtic Classic, Round 4 (Fox Sports)